Receptacle closure



Patented Dec. 17, 1929 wasn ARTHUR E. :mili F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA s Tacna cLosUnn Application med November 15, 1926. Serial No. 148,351.

This invention relates to closures for collapsible tubes.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved closure for collapsible tubes wherein the closurev includes an auto-v matic valve. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for securing a closure upon a collapsible tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic valve closure which is retained in placeby flanges integral with the neck of the tube.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tube having a closure thereon wherein means is provided to prevent the closure from being forced out lof its proper position on the collapsible tube.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view partly in elevation showing my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure after the valve slit has been eX- posed. Y

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the closure 35 showing the elliptical form of the valve closure before it is inserted in the tube.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the valve opened by pressure of the tube contents;

eo Fig. 8 is a central sectional view partly in elevation showing annt'her form' of closure and means for sealing the valve` slit.

. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a central sectionalview partially in elevation of a modified form of tube closure.

Fig. 11 is a view similarto Fig.10 showing the method of making the valve opening in the closure;

Fig 12 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 11, showing the closure after the valve opening has been formed therein;

Fig. 13 is a central sectional view partly in elevation and showing another modification of tube closure;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a central sectional view partly in elevation of a tube closure similar to the one shown in Fig. 1 but showing another means of securing the closure upon the tube;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the closure after the valve slit has been exposed;`

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the-device shown in Fig. 15, and

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing a modified form of valve closure.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have shown my invention in connection with a .collapsible tube shown at 10. In the following description l will describe my invention as used in connection with collapsible tubes and particularly for the purpose of dispensing material such as dental preparations, although it will be understood that the device is not limited to this particular use, but may be used in dispensing other plastic substances which ow more or less freely.

Referring again to the drawings, the collapsible tube 10 as shown is provided with a conical end portion 11 having a cylindrical neck 12 integral therewith. The neck 12 has 85 upon its inner surface an integral ange 13 having a collar 14 thereon.

A closure which I prefer to vuse with this form of neck is indicated generally at 15.

It comprises a body having an annular basal 90 portion 16 and anend portion 17. rlhe end poition consists of a transversely extending boss 18 arranged to provide a transverse cavity 19 adjacent the inner face of the boss,A

as clearl shown in Fig. 2. The boss 18 is 95 provide on its upper surface with another' smaller boss 20.

The closure is preferably made of a good grade of rubber in a mold and is vulcanized to provide the desired elastic properties. In 100 the type of closure as shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive the mold is of elliptical form to make the portion 16 of elliptical v'form as shown in Flg. 6, the major axis of the elli se being at rightI angles to the boss 18. T is elliptical closure is also provided with a moldednarrowslot 21 approximately the length of the ca vity 19 and extending from the top surface of said cavity through the boss 18 to a point slightl spaced from the top of the boss 20. The c osure may be `provided with a band 21 to assist the closing action. l

To secure ,the closure upon the neck of the tube the annular portion 16 of the closure 15 is placed against the flange l13 of the neck l12 in a groove formed by the elements 13,

14, and 22. The 1end portion .of the neck, which vforms a peripheral' wall as shown in Fig. 1 and indicated by 22, is then spun or otherwise turned over the annular portionv l16 as indicated by 23 in Fig. 2 to hold the closure 15 securely in the neck 12.

When the elliptically formed closuremember 15 is inserted in the cylindrical neck.12 the slot 21 is closed by the distortion from the ellipitical shape to the cylindrical shape so that the walls of the slot are made to tightly engage each other.

After the closure 15 has been secured in place ,the -tube is filled with the desired ingredient which may be dental cream. The tube is then ready for the consumer. When one desires to use the contents of the tube it is necessary to merely cut off the boss 20 with y a knife or any sharp instrument. When the 4 boss 20 has been removed the slit 21 will be e exposed. and it is then only necessary to apply l.pressure to the tube 10 to force the contents out through lthe slit 21 `which opens as shown in Fig. 7. After the pressure on the tube has been removed. the elasticity of the closure 5 forces the slit closed again as shown in Fig. 3. -In Figs. 8 and 9`I have shown aclosure 25 having an annular' basal portion 26 and a hemispherical end portion 27 having therebeneath av cylindrical cavity 28.

This closure is made in a circular mold and 'vulcan'ized bu-twith no slot, and the outer periphery of the base 26 is of the same diameter as the inner face of the neck 12. After the .closure has been removed Vfrom the mold and cooled suiiiciently the manufacturer cuts a slit 29 in the end 27 with a thin sharp instrument. The closure 25 is shown as secured in the neck of the tube in the same man ner as the reviously described closure 15.

To `prevent; t e accidental opening of the slit 29 and vtoK prevent the entrance of air I cover vthe end portion 27 of the closure with wax, s latine .or other, sealing compound, which orms a seal over the end portion 27 as in- A dicated at 30 in Fig. 8. p In Figs. 10, 11, 'and 12 I show a closure simii lar to that s hown i'n Fig. 8, but I show a difvalve port. In this form the valve opening is f preferably made by the user b cutting a slit thereon although it will be-.un erstood that it may also be made 4by the manufacturer, which case the end 27 would be covered with a sealing compound 'as previously described.

To make a valve opening 31 the tube 10 is -placed under pressure, thus causing the contents of the tube 10 to stretch the end 27 as Vshown in Fig.,11. Tension may also be applied by stretching the closure.. Then a sharp instrument such as a-large needle 32 is forced through the end 27 to form a small hole communicating from the outer periphery'of the same to the cavity 28. The pressure is then released andthe instrument Withdrawn and the contents of the tube may be Withdrawn at will.

r After the needle is withdrawn and the pressure on the closure is released, the end 27 of the closure resumes its normal position as Ishown in Fig. 10, and closes the small hole formed by the piercing instrument, thus preventing air from entering the tube and holding the contents of the tube.

tIn Figs. 13 and 14 I have shown a slightly modified form of closure retaining means and a modified form of closure. In this case the collapsible tube 35 is provided with a conical end portion 36 having` acylindrical neck 37 integral therewith. The neck 37 has a circular fiange 39 formed integral therewith on its inner surface. Y

A closure such as used with this type of neck is indicated generally at 40 and comprises a conical basal portion 41 and a hemi` spherical end portion 42 having therebeneath a cylindrical cavity 43. Through the end portion 42 there is formed a valve slit 44. This closure is made elliptical and vulcanized with a slot 44 formed therein at the time of molding as previously described. ,To `secure the closure 40 to the tube the base 41y of the closure is set on a circular flange 39 in thel neck and then ,the extreme end portion of the neck 37 is spun over the outer periphery of the base 41 as indicated at 45. The tube is then filled in the customary manner after which the end portion 42 is covered with a suitable seal which may be paraffin to form a seal 46 over the slit 44. In this manner the cred to the consumer.

In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 I have shown a further modification wherein the tube is provided with a neck 50 which is integral therewith. This neck is provided with a conical top portion 51 provided with an elongated opening 52. The closure is indicated generally at 53 and is similar to the closure 15 shown in Fig. 1. It comprises a body having an elliptical base 54 and an end portion 55.

The end portion consists of a transversely extube is delivas as to provide a transverse cavity 58. The closure has a slit 59 above this cavity. This form of closure is also preferably made in an elliptical mold and has the slot .59 formed at the time of molding.

This closure is inserted into the neck from the large end of the tube and the bossl 56 fits snugly in the opening 52 of the top portion 51 of the neck. After the closure has been placed in position a ring 60v of slightly larger diameter than the inner surface of the neck7 is forced in the neck until it abuts the bottom of the base 54 of the closure and securely holds the same against the conical top portion 5l of the neck. )lf desired the ring 60 may be spot welded or otherwise held in place. The tube is then filled in the usual manner and is ready for the user.

As with the closure 15 previously mentioned it is necessary for the user to first expose the valve slit before the contents of the tube can be extruded therefrom. This is done by removing the boss 57 with lsome sharp instrument. The metal edges of the slot 5 exert a pressure against the outer surface of the boss 56 and tend to force the sameinwardly and thus assist the closing action of the valve slit 59.

In Fig. 18 l show a modified form of the closure 53. This modification consists merely of adding to the outer surface of the boss 56 adjacent the top thereof a flange or bead 6l. When the closure is in place this bead is on the outside of the conical top portion 5l.

of the neck 50 and covers the edges of the slot 52. The bead 6l helps to prevent the dislocation of the closure and provides more material around the boss which assists inthe closing of the valve. The bead is also orna mental and gives the end of the neck a more finished appearance. v

Although in the foregoing description 'l have referred to my invention as embodied in a collapsible tube, l wish it to be understood that it may be used for other purposes if desired.

What l claim is: y 1. A collapsible tube having a flexible body and a relatively stiff end, said end having a cylindrical collar thereon, and a closure-for said end, said closure having la vnormally elliptical base distorted to fit said collar.

2. In combination with a collapsible tube having a flexible body and al relativelyV stiff end and having a cylindrical groovethereon, a closure cap having Aa. normally elliptical base portion, saidbase portion fitting saidl groove. D

aperture therein, said aperturebeing normally closed by tension produced when the elliptical base is distorted to cylindrical shape.

4. A collapsiblev tube having a flexiblebody l and a.relatively stiff end, said end having a cylindrical groovetherein, and a closure comprising a flexible memberv having a base portion fitted in said groove, said closure being normally elliptical in shape and normally` end, said end having a cylindrical groove` thereon, and a rubberv closure cap having a normally elliptical base portion, said base portion fitting said groove, said closure mem ber having af dispensing aperture therein, the opposed wallsl ofthe closure defining said aperture beingvfor'ced into direct engagement by tension produced when the elliptical base is distorted tov cylindrical shape. v

' 6. The' combination of a collapsible tube having a flexible body and a.relatively stiff end, said end having a cylindrical collar thereon, a flange extending inwardly from said collar and having a second collar at its inner end spaced from said' lirst collar and a closure comprising a flexible member having ya thickened basal portion, said basal portion being arranged between said collars and said outer collar being spun over onto the thickened basal portion, said closure being normally elliptical in shape and having a preformed slot therein, said 'slot extending along the major axis of said ellipse, and a member viilitegral with said closure for closing said s ot.

7. A collapsible tube having a flexiblebody 4 and a relatively sti end, said end having` a groove therein, the wall of said groove being cylindrical and a resilient closure having a normally elliptical `base fitting said groove,

v said closure having a dispensing aperture.

ln testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature. ARTHUR E. SMITH.

3. In combination' with acollapsible tube -mally elliptical base portion, said base portion fitting said groove and secured therein,

said closure member having a dispensing 

